HCWHA Year-in-Review

Join bestselling author Clint Smith as he considers “The Power of Milestone Anniversaries: Celebrating and Reckoning.” The fireside chat-style presentation will take place on the 159^th anniversary of Emancipation in Maryland, as Frederick County’s 275^th anniversary year draws to a close and looks ahead to the nation’s 250^th anniversary. Smith is a staff writer at The Atlantic. He is the author of the bestselling books, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, which was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and a 2021 National Book Critics Circle Award Winner for Nonfiction, and the NYT bestselling poetry collection Above Ground (2023). Smith is also the author of the award-winning poetry book, Counting Descent, 2017. His work challenges us to listen to the legacies and memories that “remain in the marrow of our bones,” that travel through time and generations.  Moderating the discussion will be Chris Haley, Maryland State Archives Director of the Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland.

A supporter of public history, Dr. Smith helped launch the 2022 groundbreaking, report “Reframing History”, a set of evidence-backed recommendations, including a toolkit for history communications. Audience members are invited to stay for a reception and book signing in the lobby after the program.

About the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA)

HCWHA, a nonprofit Maryland certified heritage area serving Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties, provides technical assistance, access to grant funds, marketing, education and visitor services to civic, historical, cultural and natural resource partners. This program coincides with the annual heritage area year-in-review.  It is made possible by support from the City of Frederick, the Tourism Council of Frederick County, and the Rural Maryland Council.  Additional support comes from Maryland Humanities and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.

This Event will be ASL Interpreted.